2025 Hyundai Kona Limited vs 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition

$810 less vs 37 more hp and 115 more lb-ft torque. That is the real fork. Key numbers: $810 price gap, 190 vs 227 hp, 26 vs 25 MPG.

The short answer

The Kona Limited leads on $810 less. The CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition leads on 37 more hp, 115 more lb-ft torque. The spec table compares 6 specifications head to head.

$810
Price Gap
37 HP
HP Diff
1 MPG
Efficiency Diff
Lower price
2025 Hyundai Kona Limited
Starts at $33,600
VS
Higher price
2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Starts at $34,410

Key Differences at a Glance

Engine
1.6L I4 Turbo
vs
2.5L I4 Turbo
Horsepower
190 hp
vs
227 hp
Torque
195 lb-ft
vs
310 lb-ft
Fuel Economy
26 MPG combined
vs
25 MPG combined
Curb Weight
3,505 lbs
vs
3,527 lbs

What's Actually Different

These two vehicles differ in 6 specifications.

MSRP
$33,600Kona Limited
$34,410CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Engine
1.6L I4 TurboKona Limited
2.5L I4 TurboCX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Horsepower
190 hpKona Limited
227 hpCX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Torque
195 lb-ftKona Limited
310 lb-ftCX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Transmission
8-speed shiftable automaticKona Limited
6-speed shiftable automaticCX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
City MPG
24Kona Limited
22CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Highway MPG
29Kona Limited
30CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Combined MPG
26Kona Limited
25CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Fuel Tank
13.2 galKona Limited
12.7 galCX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Curb Weight
3,505 lbsKona Limited
3,527 lbsCX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Wheelbase
104.7"Kona Limited
104.4"CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Length
171.3"Kona Limited
173.0"CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Width
71.9"Kona Limited
70.7"CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Height
63.6"Kona Limited
61.4"CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
NHTSA Overall
4/5 starsKona Limited
5/5 starsCX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Bumper-to-Bumper
5yr/60kKona Limited
3yr/36kCX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Powertrain
10yr/100kKona Limited
5yr/60kCX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Corrosion
7yr/unlimitedKona Limited
5yr/unlimitedCX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Roadside Assistance
5yr/unlimitedKona Limited
3yr/36kCX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition

Full Specification Comparison

Specifications and pricing reflect available data as of early 2026 and may not match current manufacturer figures. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision.

Spec2025 Hyundai Kona Limited2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition
Pricing
MSRP$33,600$34,410
Powertrain
Engine1.6L I4 Turbo2.5L I4 Turbo
Horsepower190 hp227 hp
Torque195 lb-ft310 lb-ft
Transmission8-speed shiftable automatic6-speed shiftable automatic
DrivetrainAWDAWD
Fuel Economy
City MPG2422
Highway MPG2930
Combined MPG2625
Fuel Tank13.2 gal12.7 gal
Annual Fuel Cost (EPA)$1,700/yrNo published data
Dimensions
Curb Weight3,505 lbs3,527 lbs
Wheelbase104.7"104.4"
Length171.3"173.0"
Width71.9"70.7"
Height63.6"61.4"
Safety
NHTSA Overall4/5 stars5/5 stars
IIHS AwardTSP+TSP+
Warranty
Bumper-to-Bumper5yr/60k3yr/36k
Powertrain10yr/100k5yr/60k
Corrosion7yr/unlimited5yr/unlimited
Roadside Assistance5yr/unlimited3yr/36k

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price difference between the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited and 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition?

The 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited starts at $33,600, $810 less than the 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition at $34,410. On a 60-month loan that is roughly $14/month. All prices are MSRP before destination and dealer fees.

Who should choose the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited?

The 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited is the stronger pick when you want to keep $810 in your pocket and the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited covers your needs; lower running costs matter to you, roughly $65/year less on fuel.

Who should choose the 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition?

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition is the stronger pick when the extra 37 hp matters for your commute or driving style.

Which gets better fuel economy, the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited or 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition?

The 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited rates 26 combined MPG, 1 MPG ahead.

Which is more powerful, the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited or 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition?

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition produces 227 hp, 37 more than the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited at 190 hp. The 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition also leads in torque at 310 lb-ft vs 195 lb-ft. The 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited runs a 1.6L I4 Turbo; the 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition uses a 2.5L I4 Turbo.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited bigger than the 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition?

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition is 1.7″ longer at 173.0″ vs 171.3″. The 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited has a 0.3″ longer wheelbase, which typically means more rear-seat legroom.

How do the warranties compare?

The Hyundai Kona comes with 5yr/60k bumper-to-bumper and 10yr/100k powertrain. The Mazda CX-30 offers 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain. Longer warranty coverage can offset higher maintenance costs over time.

Explore more: Hyundai trims, Hyundai Kona trims, Mazda trims, Mazda CX-30 trims

Official sources

How the Kona and CX-30 Stack Up

Two subcompact SUVs, two different takes on daily versatility. The 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited ($33,600) and 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition ($34,410) solve similar problems in different ways. The $810 gap is about $14/month on a 60-month loan. Noticeable but not dramatic enough to be the deciding factor on its own.

Powertrain: Kona vs CX-30

The 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited runs a 1.6L I4 Turbo; the 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition uses a 2.5L I4 Turbo. The 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition has 37 more hp (227 vs 190), enough to notice on highway on-ramps and when passing. The 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition adds 115 more lb-ft of torque (310 vs 195), giving it stronger low-end pull off the line. Both use AWD.

What It Actually Costs to Own

The 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited saves roughly $65/year on fuel at $3.50/gallon and 12,000 annual miles. Over five years, that is $325.

Which One Should You Buy?

Choose the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited when you want to keep $810 in your pocket and the 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited covers your needs. Choose the 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition when the extra 37 hp matters for your commute or driving style. At $14/month apart, the price difference alone will not decide this.

Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Hyundai or Mazda or any dealership.

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